Book of a Thousand Days Review
Title: Book of a Thousand Days
Author: Shannon Hale
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Themes: Coming of Age, Retold Fairy Tale, Romance
Where to Find: Local library or Amazon eBook, Ebay etc.
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale is a captivating story. It teaches you no matter how humble your beginning is, your inner strength and bravery can change the world. Loosely based on the Grimm Brothers Tale “Maid Maleen, ” Shannon Hale creates a rich and diverse setting influenced heavily by medieval Mongolia. The combination of a uniquely thrilling world and a strong female lead who grows in wisdom and skill makes this novel nearly impossible to put down.
Dashti, a humble mucker from the wild steppes, invites you into her inner thoughts as she writes her experiences serving a noble lady. After losing her mama to a spring fever, Dashti travels to the city to find work. After trading in her only surviving yak for employment, she learns to read, write, and sketch. To sharpen her skills, Dashti records a “book of thoughts” and finds she enjoys the simple task. She even leaves some sketches depicted in the novel, such as this sketch of herself waiting to meet the noble lady she will serve.
After completing her training, Dashti is assigned to the youngest daughter of the ruler of Titor’s Garden, one of the Eight Realms of the land. Her troubles began the first day she came to work. Her mistress, Lady Saren, was to be locked away for refusing her father’s order to marry the wicked and cruel Lord Khasar, ruler of Thoughts of Under. The sight of seven years’ worth of food packed into the tower amazes Dashti. No stranger to isolation and starvation from her nomadic life as a mucker, she agrees to stay with Lady Saren with a light heart.
Things were not so bad in the tower at first. Dashti kept herself busy with chores and caring for her timid and somewhat odd mistress. As a mucker, Dashti’s mama taught her the healing songs. These songs spoke to the body and offered comfort from physical aches, pains, and even heartache. Dashti is an astute and observant person. She recognizes that something is broken inside Lady Saren and wishes to heal it. Even with all her knowledge of the healing songs though, she can’t seem to find the one that will bring her lady peace.
Many days pass in the darkness of the tower. One evening the young man that Lady Saren professes to love comes to call. Lady Saren bids Dashti to speak to him as if she were Lady Saren. Against her better judgment, Dashti obeys. She finds an unexpected friend in the young ruler of Song of Evela, Khan Tegus. He gifts the trapped women with his laughter and a young kitten who becomes the dearest companion to Dashti.
Khan Tegus could not be away from his realm long but promised to return in spring. However, that promise goes unfulfilled when tragedy strikes. Dashti must pull on every lesson from her wise mama to survive her time in the tower. When Lady Saren and Dashti finally manage to escape their imprisonment they find the world ravaged by war. With Lady Saren traumatized by not only the tower but also a dark memory from her past that she cannot escape, it’s up to Dashti to find them a place to call home.
Along the way, Dashti discovers a feeling of love that is “better than seven years of food… windows… even better than the sky.” Dasthi’s experience with romance is heartfelt and genuine. It’s wonderful to see a relationship built upon mutual respect and trust blossom into a deep love.
Dashti’s journey is filled with poignant loss, terrifying challenges, and an overarching determination to survive. It also includes her struggle with her mistress, Lady Saren. In the beginning, Dashti felt only awe and amazement. She was proud to serve such a revered noble. However, those feelings turn to disillusionment when at times Saren acts like nothing more than a squalling child. By the end of their journey though, Dashti holds affection for her mistress that spans social constructs.
It is inspiring how brave and nurturing Dashti is. She continually gives of herself freely to Lady Saren and those she meets on her journey. She grows from a naive girl to an understanding and determined woman. Even when war comes knocking on the door, Dashti keeps calm. Calling on all of her courage, she willingly sacrifices her safety to protect her loved ones.
Book of a Thousand Days is a novel that inspires you to never give up. Dashti overcomes her challenges without losing hope for a brighter future. I can guarantee you will experience many pounding heart flutters as Dashti and Lady Saren face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Additionally, your heart will flutter at the sweet and fervent love story found within the book’s pages. Book of a Thousand Days is truly a masterful and profound novel you will not regret reading.
Are there any books written in a journal/diary format that you enjoy? Thank you for reading! Have a fluttery day
